Assembled picture frame



June 19, 1934. R, E 1,963,124

AS SEMBLED PI CTURE FRAME Filed Jan. 25, 1952 Ai'ToRNEYs Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ASSEMBLED PICTURE FRAME Application January 25, 1932, Serial No. 588,591

10 Claims.

This invention relates to an assembled picture frame and has particular reference to a quickly set-up frame for exhibiting pictures, such as etchings, drawings, prints, water colors, and the like, of standard size, although its use is not limited to this function.

1n exhibiting etchings, drawings, prints, water colors, and the like, they are usually mounted on mats and secured in frames during the period of the exhibition and are then removed from the frames. In addition to the expense, inconvenience and labor of mounting these pictures in frames of fixed sizes, the frames must be provided in sufficient numbers of the various standard sizes to accommodate the pictures of various sizes and then must be stored between exhibitions. It is impracticable to provide frames of the same size because the prints or drawings are usually of various sizes, and it is also impracticable to attempt to maintain on hand frames of various sizes since an excessive number of such frames would then be necessary and even then there would frequently be an insuflicient number of one size to accommodate all the ,25 prints and drawings which are to be exhibited.

In accordance with this invention a frame is provided which can be disassembled when not in use and readily reassembled out of parts of different sizes to accommodate pictures of various sizes. These parts of different sizes can be stored in a small place and are relatively few in number since many differently-sized frames can be made up from the same parts. For example, the frame consists of upper and lower 5 tubular bars provided in pairs of different lengths and each having a longitudinal slot; braces which are secured by screws to the back sides of these tubular bars for connecting them together in parallel relation with their slots lying substantially in the same plane, these braces also being provided in Various lengths to accommodate prints or drawings of different widths; and backing plates of sizes corresponding substantially to the standard sizes of the pictures, which are adapted to be inserted into the slots of the bars together with the matted print or drawing and a sheet of glass, the plate being engaged on its rear surface by set screws which, when tightened, clamp the print or drawing and the sheet of glass between the front surface of the backing plate and the front edges of the corresponding bar slots, so that the picture is held securely in place.

By withdrawing the plate, picture and the sheet of glass from the slots in the bars and removing the braces from the bars, the entire picture frame may be disassembled in very short time and can be as readily assembled, it being only necessary to select the bars, braces and backing plates of the proper size to accommo- 00 date the print or drawing which is intended to be mounted in the frame.

It will be seen that the new picture frame of this invention is simple, inexpensive, and very adaptable for use in exhibiting pictures of all kinds either permanently or temporarily.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front view of the new picture frame of this invention as it appears in assembled condition for displaying a picture;

Fig. 2 is a rear view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial section as seen along the line 33 of Fig. 1 and illustrates the frame fastening and picture securing means;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged rear view of the same means;

Fig. 5 is a similar View of the modified form of construction, and

Fig. 6 is a section thereof as seen along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

In the drawing numerals 10 and 11 designate like upper and lower bars of the new frame, these bars being shown in cross section in Fig. 3 and preferably comprising equal lengths of metal tubing each having a saw-cut slot 12 extending longitudinally thereof. These bars 10 are preferably made of commercial steel or copper tubing and are brushed to provide a dull surface finish. These bars 10 and 11 are preferably provided in pairs of different lengths corresponding to the different standard lengths of pictures which are usually displayed in exhibitions or the like.

Connecting the upper bar 10 and the lower bar 11 together and properly spacing them is a plurality of braces 13 consisting of strap metal or the like. These braces 13 are provided in groups of two or three or more and have lengths corresponding to the standard widths of pictures which are to be exhibited in the frame. Each bar 13 is provided with two holes at each end, one of which is adapted to receive the cap screw 14 which is screwed into the corresponding threaded hole in the side of one of the tubular bars 10 or 11 for removably securing the brace 13 to these bars. The other hole is threaded for the reception of the set screw 15, which passes through an oversized hole in the tubular bar 10 or 11 so that its rounded end extends into the tubular bar 10 or 11. Three of such braces 13 are shown in Fig. 2 for connecting the upper bar 10 and the lower bar 11 together. It will be seen that since screws 14 and are spaced apart they look the braces 13 and the bars 10 and 11 together against pivoting movement about their mutual connections, and that the slots 12 of the bars 10 and 11 are in registry and lie substantially in the same plane.

A backing plate 16 of sheet metal or the like is made of such width that its upper and lower edges may be slid into the tubular bars 10 and 11 through the slots 12 thereof. The length of the backing plate 16 is preferably slightly greater than the lengths of the tubular bars 10 and 11 so that the edges of the plate are visible at either side of the picture 17, which is of standard length. These plates 16 are provided in several sizes corresponding substantially to the standard sizes of the pictures which are to be displayed in the frame. Thus, for every pair of tubular bars 10 and 11' of a certain length at least one plate 16 of substantially the same length is provided. Likewise, for each set of braces 13 one plate 16 of the appropriate width is provided, although numerous plates having the same length may have different widths and vice versa to accommodate pictures of varying lengths and widths.

A sheet of glass 18 is preferably provided with each plate 16and is substantially of the same dimensions as the plate 16. This sheet of glass is adapted to overlie the picture 17 which in turn overlies the front surface of the plate 16.

ill

In setting up and employing the novel frame of this invention two tubular bars 10 and 11 of the proper length to correspond to the length of a picture to be displayed are connected together by braces 13 of a length corresponding" to the width of the picture 17, these braces being connected to the bars 10 and 11 by means of the screws 14 in the manner described. Then the backing plate 16 of the appropriate size and the corresponding sheet of glass 18 with the picture 1'7 between them are jointly inserted into the ends of the bars 10 and 11 so that they extend jointly through the aligned slots 12 thereof.

When the picture 17 has been properly aligned inthe frame so that a border of the backing plate 16 is displayed on either side thereof, as indicated in Fig. 1, the set screws 15 are tightened down until they engage the rear surface of the backing plate 16 and urge it forwardly until the glass 18 engages the front edge of the slot 12, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the picture 17 is clamped securely in place between the glass 18 and the back plate 16 in a manner readily understood. The frame with the picture is now a rigid and compact unit which may be mounted on an easel or suspended from a wall or the like by nails passing through holes 19 in the braces 13 or by means of a wire or the like passed through the holes 19 in the braces 13.

In order to dismount the picture from the frame and disassemble the frame, it is only necessary to relieve the pressure on the set screw 15 in order to withdraw the backing plate 16, picture 17 and glass 18 from the frame through the open ends of the bars 10 and 11. Then, by removing screws 14 the braces 13 and the bars 10 and 11 may be disconnected and the parts stored away in a small space until further use is had for them.

It will be understood that the glass 18 is not necessary unless it is desired, since the front edges -means including screws for securing the: means of the slots 12 of the bars 10 and 11 will engage the upper and lower front edges of the picture 17 or the mat thereof and hold it in place on the plate 16 when the set screws 15 are tightened down. Also the backing plate 16 may not be in all instances necessary since frequently the pictures such as prints, etchings, colors, and the like, are mounted on heavy cardboard mats which are in themselves sufficiently self-sustaining to be held in the frame when the set screws 15 are tightened down, Whether or not the glass 18 is employed. Other variations of the use of the invention are permissible in its scope.

In Figs. Sand 6 a modified form of the frame of this invention is illustrated. Here the separate tightening set screws 15 shown in the preceding figures of the drawing are dispensed with and the cap screw 20 is threaded through the brace 13' and the top bar 10 so that it performs the dual function of securing the braces and bars together and also acting as a set screw for engaging the backplate 16 to urge backing plate 16' forwardly and press the glass 18' against the front edge of the slot 12, so that the picture 17' isclamped between the backing plate 16' and 100 the glass 18'. The back plate 16, by fitting closely within the tubular bar- 10'- and the'other bar, not shown, prevents the frame from collapsing or pivoting about the screws 20 and renders the frame rigid.

I claim:

1'. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of tubes each having a longitudinal slot, braces connected to-the tubes for holding them in parallel relation withtheirslots lying substantially in the same plane, a backing member seated jointly in the slots-ofboth tubes, and fastening devices passing through the means-and one wall of the tubes'for urging the backing member against oneof the edges of the slot to'secure 1'15 its iio

it in the frame.

2. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of tubes each having a longitudinal slot, and means connected to the rear side of said tubes M for holding them in parallel relation with the slots'lying substantially in the same plane, said means including devices engaging one surface of a flat member jointly inserted in the slots of the tubes to force it against one edge of the slots in the tubes. 1 25 3. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of tubes each having'a longitudinal-slot, and means connected to the rear side of said tubes for holding them in parallel relation with the slots V lying substantially inthe same plane, said means 136 including devices securing the means to the tubes and engaging a flat member jointly inserted in the slots of the tubes to'force it against one edge of the slots in the tubes.

4.. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of tubes each having a longitudinal slot, and means connected to-the rear side of: said tubes for holding them in parallel relation with the slots lying substantially in'the same plane, said l ft) to thetubes and for engaging a fiat member jointly inserted in the slots in the tubes to force it against one edge of the slots in the tubes.

5. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of tubes each having a longitudinal slot, means connecting saidtubes in parallelrelati'on with their slots lying substantially in the same plane, a plate jointly insertable in the slots :of

both tubes for securing a picture betwe'nits surface andthe corresponding edges of the-tube slots, and adjustable means engaging the rear surface of the plate for forcing its front surface into contact with the corresponding edges of the tube slots.

6. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of tubes each having a longitudinal slot, braces removably secured to the tubes for connecting them in parallel relation with their slots lying substantially in the same plane for receiving the corresponding edges of a flat member inserted in the slots, and fastening devices extending through one wall of the tubes and through the braces and engaging one surface of the member to force the other surface thereof against one edge of the slots in the tubes.

7. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of longitudinally slotted tubes, braces spacing said tubes in parallel relation with their slots arranged substantially in the same plane, and screws connecting the braces to the rear sides of the tubes and extending into the tubes for urging a flat member jointly inserted in the slots of the tubes against the front edges of the slots.

8. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of longitudinally slotted tubes, braces spacing said tubes in parallel relation with their slots arranged substantially in the same plane, and set screws passing through one wall of the tubes for engaging the rear surface of a flat member jointly inserted in the slots of the tubes to force its front surface against the front edges of the slots.

9. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of longitudinally slotted tubes, braces spacing said tubes in parallel relation with their slots arranged substantially in the same plane, screws securing the braces to the rear sides of the tubes, a backing plate for the picture slidable jointly in the slots of the tubes, and set screws passing through the braces and through one Wall of the tubes and engaging the rear surface of the backing plate for forcing it against the picture to clamp the latter between the front surface of the plate and the front edges of the slots in the tubes.

10. In a picture frame, the combination of a pair of longitudinally slotted tubes, braces connecting the tubes together in parallel relation with their slots lying substantially in the same plane, and means extending through at least one of the braces and one wall of the corresponding tube for engaging one surface of a flat member inserted jointly in the slots of both tubes to urge the front surface of the member against one edge of the slot of the corresponding tube.

KARL R. FREE. 

